Page 73 of Beautiful Lies

That means it’s time for the speeches. And the ring.

First the kiss. Now the ring.

Because why stop at one public performance when we can have two?

I plaster on a smile and murmur, “Wonderful. Can’t wait.”

Knox’s mouth curves slightly as if he can hear the lie dripping from every syllable.

“Try to look like you mean it, love,” he says under his breath, his thumb brushing the side of my wrist. “After all, the best actors never break character.”

I bite back the retort clawing its way up my throat.

He’s enjoying this. Every second of it.

And worse, he knows exactly how much it’s getting to me.

We make our way to the dining hall. Knox’s hand is firm around me, a guiding touch that feels more like a claim.

The double doors swing open. We enter, and the beauty steels my breath.

Glittering gold and soft candlelight fill the room. Crystal chandeliers cast fractured halos across the tables, each one draped in ivory linen and adorned with tall arrangements of white roses and lilies. A string quartet plays something elegantand old, the kind of music that fills silence without drawing attention to itself.

At the far end, a raised platform waits, set with two chairs, one for me and one for Knox.

Center stage for the happy couple.

Knox leads me forward. To anyone watching, we’re the perfect couple walking into our fairytale.

We sit side by side when we reach the table, his knee brushing against mine.

Moments later, the guests begin filing to their tables around us, their laughter a low hum beneath the music.

Waiters glide like ghosts between the tables, pouring champagne into flute glasses, and soon, the party moves in here.

I find Mom and Mia watching me from the table opposite Knox’s family. I wish I were with them instead of all the way over here. With them, I’d feel safe and like my nerves weren’t unraveling at the seams.

The laughter and chatter dim as Jeremiah Vale stands, commanding the room without saying a word. Power radiates from him, and just like that, every conversation dies.

He raises his champagne glass, his smile practiced and confident. “Good evening, everyone.” His deep voice carries easily across the hall. “Thank you for joining us to celebrate something truly special. The engagement of my son, Knox, and his beautiful fiancée, Isla. A new chapter begins tonight.”

A round of polite applause ripples through the room.

Jeremiah continues, his words smooth and deliberate, each one chosen for effect. Something about legacy. Family. Partnership. But the longer he speaks, the less I hear.

The words blur into background noise. I should be paying attention, should be smiling, but all I can think about is the weight of tonight and how my life is changing again.

When the room applauds again, I blink back to the moment, realizing Jeremiah’s speech is coming to a close.

He lifts his glass higher, his smile widening. “And now, before we dine,” he says, voice ringing with pride, “it gives me great joy to invite Knox and Isla to share their special moment with you.”

A murmur of anticipation ripples through the guests.

Beside me, Knox rises smoothly to his feet, then his hand extends toward me, palm open.

My pulse skips as I slide my hand into his, and he helps me to my feet.

Knox turns toward the guests, his expression the picture of composure. “My father said it best—tonight isn’t just about celebration. It’s about legacy, family, and the people who make both possible. People say every empire stands on its foundations. Tonight, I have mine standing beside me. So, I won’t keep you waiting any longer.”